Radiation protection system and method for using the same

ABSTRACT

A method of using a radiation protection system including a table having a top surface for supporting a patient, a radiation-shielding screen attached to the table for covering a portion of the patient and a portion of the top surface of the table, and controls for controlling the system. The radiation-shielding screen includes at least one port. The method includes extending the radiation-shielding screen over a portion of the patient the table and accessing the controls through the port. The method further includes controlling the system using the controls.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No.10/721,032 filed Nov. 24, 2003, now U.S. Pat. No. 7,091,508, which is adivisional of U.S. application Ser. No. 09/990,073 filed Nov. 21, 2001,now U.S. Pat. No. 6,653,648, which is a continuation-in-part of U.S.application Ser. No. 09/638,772 filed Aug. 15, 2000, now U.S. Pat. No.6,448,571, all of which are incorporated herein by reference to theextent permitted by law.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates generally to radiation protection systems and,more particularly, to radiation shielding systems with integratedprocedural environments for use in the course of diagnostic ortherapeutic procedures as well as methods for the use of such systems.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

X-rays are used in a wide variety of medical procedures, many of whichrequire medical personnel to be in direct contact with the patient,thereby exposing such personnel to radiation.

As presently configured, x-ray laboratories produce x-ray exposure tothe patient and to the operator and associated technicians. Sincepatients undergo a limited number of exposures, cumulative radiationexposure to the individual patient is rarely a significant healthconcern. However, operators and health care personnel performingnumerous procedures per year over many years may be exposed tosignificant cumulative radiation doses over time, which may have adverseeffects. See David A. Clark, Editorial Comment, 51 Catheterization andCardiovascular Interventions 265 (2000); Stephen Balter, An Overview ofRadiation Safety Regulatory Recommendations and Requirements, 47Catheterization and Cardiovascular Interventions 469 (1999).

For this reason, both fixed and mobile lead shields are employed influoroscopic procedures to minimize radiation exposure. Such shieldstypically are constructed of radiation resistant plates suspended onbars that are adjusted to be interposed between the operators and thepatient on the x-ray table. Despite the use of these shields, medicalpersonnel are still exposed to radiation. It is therefore imperativethat personnel wear leaded protective clothing (including full leadaprons, thyroid collars and leaded glasses). In addition, the doctors orother operators perform these radiologic procedures many hours per dayand several days per week over many years throughout their medicalcareers. This long term, cumulative exposure may cause adverse effects.Furthermore, the wearing of heavy lead aprons may have long termdeleterious effects resulting in disabling disorders of the spine in asignificant number of operators. See Allan Mr. Rose, et al., Prevalenceof Spinal Disc Disease Among Interventional Cardiologists, 79 AmericanJournal of Cardiology 68 (1997).

There are patents teaching systems for protecting and shielding againstradiation in x-ray laboratories. The patents describe various shieldsmade of radiation resistant material that are either mobile or attachedto the x-ray table and can be adjusted between the operators and thex-ray source. Though there are numerous shapes and designs for theseshields, and although they may be constructed of various materials, theydo not sufficiently protect against radiation exposure, and medicalpersonnel must still wear heavy and encumbering leaded protectiveclothing. Furthermore, such leaded protective aprons, collars andglasses do not fully protect the operator as they leave substantialportions of legs, arm and head exposed.

Despite dramatic technological evolution of the imaging systems employedfor diagnostic and therapeutic radiological procedures, the fundamentalarchitecture of the radiological x-ray laboratory and its ancillarycomponents have not changed appreciably over the last 50 years. Forexample, in the present configuration of a typical cardiaccatheterization laboratory, there is a fixed floor or ceiling mountedradiological C-arm along with the ancillary electrical and computerequipment necessary to run the x-ray system. However, in order toperform diagnostic and therapeutic procedures, such a laboratoryrequires multiple other capital equipment items, as well as disposables.These items may include a fluoroscopy table, manual controls for thetable, fluoroscopy monitors positioned some distance away from theprocedure site and out of the operator's preferred line of site,physiological sensors and instruments for monitoring the patient, atleast one staging area often located behind the surgeon or at thepatient's groin area, and various other surgical tools and medicaldisposables. In the present configurations, neither these items nor thelaboratory itself are optimized for procedural efficiency or radiationprotection of the medical personnel within the laboratory.

When working with a patient on an x-ray table, doctors and other medicalpersonnel can be exposed to primary radiation that emanates directlyfrom the source or can be exposed to secondary radiation that isreflected or scattered by an object such as the x-ray detector, thex-ray table, and even the patient. No prior invention has sufficientlyreduced the primary and secondary radiation exposure of operators in anx-ray laboratory and addressed its inefficiencies of such a lab by usinga radiation protection system comprising a shielding cubicle, screen,flexible interface and integrated operations environment.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is in view of the above that the present invention was developed. Apreferred embodiment of the invention is a radiation protection systemfor shielding medical personnel from x-rays from an x-ray emitter whileworking on a patient, comprising an x-ray table having a first side, asecond side and a top surface, the top surface for supporting a patient;a radiation-shielding cubicle having an interior defining a medicalpersonnel region, the cubicle having a ceiling, floor, a first wall forseparating the medical personnel from an x-ray emitter disposed outsideof the cubicle, a second wall extending from one end of said first walladjacent to a first side of the x-ray table and a third wall extendingfrom the first wall adjacent to a second side of the x-ray table, thefirst wall having an opening for locating a portion of the x-ray tableinto the interior of the cubicle; a radiation-shielding screen attachedto the x-ray table for covering the portions of the patient and the topsurface of the x-ray table located in the interior of the cubicle; aradiation-shielding flexible interface for joining the x-ray table tothe cubicle, the flexible interface having a flexibleradiation-resistant skirt sealing the opening; and an integratedprocedural environment.

Among the objects and features of the invention is reducing theradiation exposure of staff in an x-ray laboratory.

A second object of the invention is substantially reducing exposure toprimary radiation around an x-ray table and thereby permitting doctorsto perform fluoroscopic based medical and surgical procedures withaccess to a patient without being exposed to excessive amounts ofradiation.

A third object of the invention is reducing exposure to secondaryradiation in the region around an x-ray table where medicalprofessionals operate on a patient.

A fourth object of the invention is to minimize radiation leaking into acubicle while the x-ray table moves relative to the cubicle.

Another object of the present invention is to improve the architecture,configuration and design of the equipment items in an x-ray procedurelaboratory as well as the efficiency and flow of such laboratories.

Further features and advantages of the present invention, as well as thestructure and operation of various embodiments of the present invention,are described in detail below with reference to the accompanyingdrawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and form a part ofthe specification, illustrate the embodiments of the present inventionand together with the description, serve to explain the principles ofthe invention. In the drawings:

FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective view of a radiation protection systemaccording to the present invention.

FIG. 2 illustrates a perspective view of an alternative embodiment ofthe radiation protection system in an unassembled state;

FIG. 3 illustrates a perspective view of the radiation protection systemillustrated in FIG. 2 in an assembled state;

FIG. 4 illustrates a top plan view of the radiation protection systemillustrated in FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 illustrates a perspective view of another embodiment of theprotection system and operations environment;

FIG. 6 illustrates a close up view of one embodiment of part of theoperations environment within the cubicle area identified as 6-6 in FIG.5.

FIG. 7 illustrates a top-view of a patient positioned on the table ofthe present invention;

FIG. 8 illustrates a top-view of a radiation resistant screen of thepresent invention;

FIGS. 9A and 9B show two access port covers of the present invention;and

FIG. 10 shows a cross-section substantially along the line 10-10 of FIG.5.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring to the accompanying drawings in which like reference numbersindicate like elements, FIG. 1 illustrates a radiation protection system10 that covers a patient 12 on an x-ray table 14 and separates anoperating region 16 from a C-arm x-ray emitter 18. The radiationprotection system 10 includes a radiation-shielding wall 20, aradiation-shielding screen 22 on the x-ray table, and aradiation-shielding flexible interface 24 connecting the screen 22 andx-ray table 14 with the wall 20. The wall 20 is constructed fromwell-known radiation-blocking materials and is preferably transparent,thereby permitting visual contact between operators (not shown) in themedical personnel region 16 and the patient 12. An opening 26 isprovided in the wall 20 so that it can be moved over the x-ray table 14.A mobility device, such as casters 28 or tracks (not shown) permits thewall 20 to be rolled into place, and retracting the casters 28 sets thewall in place. The top of the wall 30 is preferably higher than theC-arm 32 at its highest extension.

The radiation-shielding screen 22 is movably attached to the x-ray table14. The screen 22 may have a plurality of screen supports 34 (see alsoFIG. 6) attached to the x-ray table 14 and a radiation-resistantpartition 36 attached to the supports 34. When extended, the screen 22covers the x-ray table 14 in the personnel region 16 and the partition36 is interposed between the patient 12 and the operators. The flexibleinterface 24 may have flexible joints 38 and a flexible,radiation-resistant skirt 40. The flexible joints 38 connect the wall 20with the x-ray table 14 and hold the skirt 40. The skirt 40 joins thewall 20 to the screen 22 and covers the opening 26 in the wall. Theflexible joints 38 and skirt 40 may extend, thereby allowing movement ofthe x-ray table 14 during the medical procedure without moving the wall20. Thus, the connections between the screen 22, table 14, interface 24and wall 20 (or cubicle 100 in other embodiments) creates aradiation-resistant seal.

Transferring the patient 12 to and from the x-ray table 14 isfacilitated by detaching the flexible interface 24 from the wall 20 andmoving the wall, and by retracting the screen 22 to the foot 42 of thex-ray table 14. During fluoroscopic procedures, it is preferable for thescreen 22 to extend over the patient 12 from the foot 42 to thepatient's mid abdomen region 44. The partition 36 may be formed from aflexible sheet of radiation-resistant material, permitting the screen 22to fold like a curtain as the screen supports 34 slide along the table.It will be evident to those skilled in the art that other movabledevices can be substituted for the sliding mechanism, including a screenthat can rotate like an awning (not shown). Alternatively, the screen 22may be constructed from rigid panels or segments. Also, screen segmentsmay be hingedly attached like an accordion or rollably attached like aroll-top desk or a pool cover, or conformably attached like a Venetianblind.

As shown in FIGS. 1, 5 and 6, 7 and 8, the screen 22 preferably includesat least one instrument port 46 through which physicians may operate onthe patient 12 with procedural equipment (not shown), includingthreading a catheter through the port 46 and inserting the catheter intothe patient 12. For fluoroscopic procedures in which a catheter isinserted into the patient 12, it is preferable to have access to thepatient through ports 46 over the patient's groin region near thefemoral vessels. Each access port 46 can be covered by aradiation-shielding cloak 48 that is attached to the screen 22 aroundcatheters. The cloaks, generally 48, help protect the doctors operatingaround the x-ray table 14 from radiation scattering through theirrespective ports 46. The screen 22 may also have control ports 50,allowing connections and access to controls on the x-ray table (notshown). The x-ray table 14 may also have a user interface 52 external orinternal to the screen 22. Access to the x-ray table's controls allowsthe operators to adjust the position of the table throughout theprocedure. It may also permit the operators to control the position andorientation of the C-arm 32 and catheterization system monitors 54. Aswith other procedural equipment, the wall 20, screen 22, interface 24,and cloaks 48 can be sterilized. Alternatively to or in combination withremoving the screen 22 from the x-ray table 14 and the interface 24 fromthe wall 20 for sterilization, such elements and the partition 36 andthe skirt 40 may be covered by disposable, sterile covers (not shown).

With the radiation protection system 10 set in place, operators andother medical personnel in the operating region 16 are shielded from thex-ray emitter 18 and x-ray scattering during radiologic procedures. Theradiation-shielding wall 20 separates the operating region 16 from thex-ray emitter 18 to protect the operators from exposure to most, if notall, primary radiation from the x-ray emitter 18 and from secondaryradiation that could be scattered through the patient 12 or othersources. The radiation-shielding screen 22 is interposed between thedoctors and the patient 12 to protect against most x-ray scattering fromthe patient 12 and the x-ray table 14. The radiation-shielding flexibleinterface 24 covers the opening 26 in the wall 20 and joins the wallwith the x-ray table 14 and the screen 22 to protect against mostradiation leaking into the operating region 16 when the x-ray table ismoved.

FIG. 2 illustrates the unassembled sections of another embodiment of aradiation protection system 10. As in the first embodiment, theradiation protection system 10 includes a radiation-shielding screen 22and a radiation-shielding flexible interface 24. In the secondembodiment, the radiation protection system 10 has a radiation-shieldingcubicle 100, and the flexible interface 24 is mounted circumferentiallyaround the x-ray table 14. As illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 4, the cubicle100 encloses the operating region 16 when the system 10 is assembled.The entire cubicle 100 can be constructed from well knownradiation-blocking materials and it can be constructed to allow forrepeated disassembly and reassembly for portability and storage. A firstwall 102 is interposed between the personnel and the C-arm x-ray emitter18. The first wall 102 is structurally and functionally similar to theradiation-shielding wall 20 in the first embodiment. Within the cubicle100, the medical personnel region 16 preferably provides adequate spacefor two physicians to operate on the patient 12. A third cubicle wall104, shown here as a half-wall, separates the personnel region 16 fromthe x-ray table 14.

As with the wall 20 in the previous embodiment, the cubicle 100 ispreferably supported by a mobility device such as casters 28 that can beretracted when the cubicle is in place over the x-ray table 14. Thecubicle 100 may also have at least one door 106. The cubicle 100 maycontain access panels 108 for transferring equipment between theoperating region 16 and the x-ray laboratory. The cubicle may also havetubing ports 110 for running catheters, tubes and other surgicalequipment (not shown) from the patient 12 and the x-ray table 14 toother components in the x-ray laboratory. The cubicle may have its ownventilation system to maintain optimal ventilation and sterility, andmay include shelves 112 for procedural equipment. Shelves 112 in thecubicle 100 may serve as a general staging table and shelves 112suspended over the x-ray table 14 could serve as platform, allowingquick access to equipment by a doctor or other medical personnel 114. Asin the previous embodiment, the cubicle 100 may also have monitors 54 todisplay fluoroscopic and other physiologic information, and the cubicle100 may include an audio and/or video system for optimal communicationbetween the medical personnel 114 and the rest of the laboratory.

In this embodiment, each corner 116 of the flexible interface 24 may beattached to the cubicle 100 through the flexible joint 38. As in theprevious embodiment, the flexible radiation-resistant skirt 40 may beheld between the joints 38 to cover an opening 118 in the wall 102 andto join the wall 102 with the x-ray table 14 and the screen 22. In thesecond embodiment, the skirt 40 may also circumferentially join thex-ray table 14 to the cubicle 100. As in the previous embodiment, theflexible joints 38 and skirt 40 permit the x-ray table 14 to be movedduring the procedure. Extending and retracting the radiation screen 22is performed in a manner that is similar to the previous embodiment, andtransferring the patient 12 to and from the x-ray table is alsoperformed a similar manner. In the second embodiment, the flexibleinterface 24 may be detached around its circumference so that thecubicle 100 can be moved and the screen 22 can be retracted to the foot42 of the x-ray table 14.

FIG. 4 illustrates that these embodiments use much the same system forshielding operators and other medical personnel 114 from the x-rayemitter 18 and x-ray scattering when working in the personnel region 16adjacent to the patient 12 on the x-ray table 14. In particular,operators are shielded from most x-ray radiation by isolating thepersonnel region 16 from the x-ray emitter 18 with theradiation-shielding wall 102 and the radiation-shielding flexibleinterface 24, covering the patient with a radiation-shielding screen 22adjacent to the personnel region, and joining the wall 102 and thescreen 22 with the flexible interface 24. The wall 102 and the flexibleinterface 24 isolate the personnel region 16 from the x-ray emitter 18.The flexible interface 24 attaches the x-ray table 14 to the wall 20,102 through flexible joints 38, 116 and joins the screen 22 to the wall20, 102 through a flexible radiation-resistant skirt 40. The secondembodiment further isolates the operating region 16 with the half-wall104 adjacent to the x-ray table 14 and uses the skirt 40 tocircumferentially join the x-ray table 14 with the cubicle 100.

A preferred embodiment of the present invention is shown in FIG. 5 as aradiation protection system for shielding medical personnel from x-raysfrom an x-ray emitter while working on a patient, comprising an x-raytable 14 having a first side 14 a, a second side 14 b and a top surface,the top surface for supporting a patient 12; a radiation-shieldingcubicle 100 having an interior defining a medical personnel region 16,the cubicle 100 having a ceiling 101, floor 103, a first wall 102 forseparating the medical personnel from an x-ray emitter 18 disposedoutside of the cubicle 100, a second wall 505 extending from one end ofsaid first wall 102 adjacent to a first side 14 a of the x-ray table 14and a third wall 104 extending from the first wall 102 adjacent to asecond side 14 b of the x-ray table 14, the first wall 102 having anopening 26 for locating a portion of the x-ray table 14 into theinterior of the cubicle; a radiation-shielding screen 22 attached to thex-ray table 14 for covering the portions of the patient and the topsurface of the x-ray table located in the interior of the cubicle 100; aradiation-shielding flexible interface 24 for joining the x-ray table 14to the cubicle 100, the flexible interface 24 having a flexibleradiation-resistant skirt 40 sealing the opening 26; and an integratedprocedural environment.

The present invention may include a control module 501 integrated intoan operator's chair 504, however, the module 501 may be mounted in othersuitable locations within the cubicle 100. The control module 501 maycomprise controls for movement of the table 14, adjustments and movementof the chair 504 itself, as well as the C-arm, monitor 54 a position,environmental conditions (lights, heating and air conditioning, etc.)and other various components. In addition, the control module 501 maycomprise foot pedals on the chair 504 for more convenient access tovarious switches.

FIG. 10 depicts a cross-section of the system 10 along the line 10-10 inFIG. 5. As such, it illustrates another view of wall 104 disposedbetween the medical personnel and the table 14 as well as the connection910 between the interface 24 and the wall 14 which is shown from abovein FIG. 4.

The operator's chair 504 is designed for optimal comfort and ease ofaccess to the patient so that the operator is positioned in anergonomically designed adjustable chair positionable within thepersonnel region 16 with freedom of motion for hand movement control ofall the operating functions of the integrated procedural environment atthe touch of a finger, and to give the operator optimal ergonomic accessto the patient and the medical equipment needed for the procedure.Alternatively, the chair 504 design may have a “stand-up” configurationas is known in the art to allow the operators to stand yet be supportedorthopedically.

As shown in FIG. 5, the integrated procedural environment may alsoinclude the inside surface 502 of a cubicle 100 wall 505 across from thepersonnel region 16. As will be described herein, this surface 502 maybe used to support various integrated elements including monitordisplays 54 a and staging platforms 500 for instruments. On the interiorsurface 502 of wall 505, fluoroscopic/cine screens and physiologicmonitors 54 a may be provided. In the integrated environment, thefluoroscopic monitors 54 a may be placed in close proximity to theoperator 114, which is in dramatic difference to previously availablesystems where the monitors are often positioned at an unnecessarily fardistance and an orthopedically awkward angle relative to the operators.The interior surface 502 may support monitor displays 54 a includingfluoroscopic monitors, as well as physiologic monitors including, forexample, EKG and blood pressure, for heart rate and oxygen measurements(pulse oximetry). The monitors may also include a display 506 of videofrom a patient video camera that includes both video as well as audio ofthe patient's head from a camera placed on the x-ray C-arm that tracksand angles towards the patient's head in order to keep visual monitoringof the patient, as well as two way microphone system to monitor andcommunicate with the patient during the procedure.

As shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, the radiation protection screen 22 maycomprise a radiation protection vascular access drape or drape portion22 a composed of a soft, pliable, light, but radiation resistantmaterial having ports 46 placed within the design of the overall screen22 such that the position and size of the ports 46 allows full access tothe correct aspect of the patient regardless of his size and weight. Theshape and size of each port 46 are variable depending on the procedurebeing performed but in a preferred embodiment are substantially roundand approximately 10 to 20 cm in diameter. The drape 22 a may have acircumferential pleated portion 22 b that may allow for attachment tothe various other components including the flexible interface 24, table14, cubicle 100, and the rest of the screen 22, if so constructed.

As shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, the drape 22 a may also have one or morechannels 710 in continuity with the cephalad (head) side of the ports 46and overlaying the groin region of the patient. The channels 710 may beconstructed of the same radiation resistant material as the drape 22 aand may comprise a flap 712. The flaps 712 may comprise overlappingportions of drape material connected by hook and loop or other suitablefasteners. The channels 710 may be unflapped (opened) in order to allowa radiolucent area to be exposed in the occasional cases in whichpassage of the guide-wire from a needle through the groin region isdifficult and requires fluoroscopic monitoring. Once the wire has beensuccessfully advanced past this region, the flaps 712 can be reclosed torecomplete the radiation resistant seal over the channels 710.

This system may also include a radiation-shielding cloak 48, as shown inFIG. 9A. This cloak may be made of the same radiation resistant materialas the drape 22 a and constructed in a circular fashion with a radialslit 902 and a small diameter central orifice 904. This cloak 48 may beplaced over a port 46 employed for the procedure and is applied oncevascular access has been achieved and procedural equipment, such as avascular sheath, is positioned in the patient. The cloak may then beopened at slit 902, encircled around the sheath and positioned to fullycover the port 46 so that the only component of the patient that is notfully covered by a radiation protection device is the minutely smalldiameter of the access sheath that exits through the protector orifice904.

Additional components of the drape 22 a may include a radiationshielding cloak 49 shown in FIG. 9B. This cloak 49 may be placed over anunused port 46. Cloaks (48, 49) may be covered or enclosed within asterile drape which may have a hook and loop, adhesive strip or someother suitable fastener on one side that can then be attached to thedrape 22 a to maintain secure cloak (48, 49) positioning.

FIG. 7 also illustrates other novel aspects of the present invention.The table 14 of the present invention may incorporate conduit or similarbuilt-in retention systems 750 for the consolidation and orderly routingprocedural equipment including of the leads from various physiologicalmonitoring sensors 752 attached to the patient 12.

Similarly, intravenous fluid bags 507 may be hung within the cubicle 100and their lines 754 may be routed within conduit in the table 14 so asto facilitate the orderly and efficient maintenance of the procedurallaboratory.

In addition, the table 14 may include at least one arm rest 762 whichmay have integrated restraints 761 and physiological sensors such astemperature, pulse meter, blood pressure cuff 760 and pulse oximeter.Leads from these sensors may be internally routed within the table 14 orrouted within the table's conduit 750 as described above. The patientarm rest 762 may also serve to restrict hand and arm movement of thepatient to aid in reducing contamination.

During fluoroscopic procedures, there are numerous disposable itemsemployed including wires, sheaths, catheters, balloons, proceduredependent fluid administration, syringes, needles, hemostats, and manyothers. At present, such items are typically kept on a table behind thesurgeon, with some items kept in the patient's groin or lap. Theinefficiency of this system has been detailed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,586,163which discloses and claims a novel platform and method for convenientaccess to such items. The integration of such a platform 500 into thepresent invention is illustrated in FIG. 5 attached to the insidesurface 502 of the cubicle 100. Adapted in this way, the platform 500will hold procedural equipment within the medical professional's reachin the operating region yet outside of the immediate surgical site andoff of the patient.

In addition, the system 10 may include a radiation detector in operativeconnection with the fluoroscopy system for the automatic detection ofradiation exposure above baseline levels and the subsequent automaticshutting down of the x-ray emitter and fluoroscopy system.

To use the invention, the patient would be prepped and draped and theradiation protection system 10 employed in the following manner: (1) Thepatient would be placed and sterily prepared on the table 14 in thestandard fashion; (2) the sterily covered screen 22 is scrolled up fromthe foot of the table 14 to just below the patient's knees and the drape22 a (if used) is positioned from the patient's knees to waist or chestlevel; (3) the vascular access drape 22 a is positioned such that theports 46 are located over the right and left femoral vascular accessregions of the patient; (4) the circumferential pleated connectingborder 22 b of the vascular access drape 22 a is then connected to theflexible interface 24 as well as to the screen 22, if separate from thedrape 22 a; (5) a rectangular cloak 49, within a sterile drape, isplaced over the unused vascular access ports; (6) vascular access isachieved; (7) a cloak 48 is placed around the inserted vascular sheathand positioned to fully cover the vascular access port 46 employed forthe procedure.

In view of the foregoing, it will be seen that the several advantages ofthe invention are achieved and attained. The embodiments were chosen anddescribed in order to best explain the principles of the invention andits practical application to thereby enable others skilled in the art tobest utilize the invention in various embodiments and with variousmodifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated.

As various modifications could be made in the constructions and methodsherein described and illustrated without departing from the scope of theinvention, it is intended that all matter contained in the foregoingdescription or shown in the accompanying drawings shall be interpretedas illustrative rather than limiting. For example, the wall 20 in thefirst embodiment can be curved or hinged to partially surround theoperating region 16. As another example, the cubicle 100 can be wider toextend over the foot 42 of the x-ray table 14, thereby enlarging theoperating region 16 within the cubicle 100. Thus, the breadth and scopeof the present invention should not be limited by any of theabove-described exemplary embodiments, but should be defined only inaccordance with the following claims appended hereto and theirequivalents.

1. A method of using a radiation protection system comprising a tablehaving a top surface for supporting a patient, a radiation-shieldingscreen attached to the table for covering a portion, generally extendingbetween at least a lower portion to a middle portion of the patient anda corresponding portion of the top surface of the table, and controlsfor controlling the system, wherein the radiation-shielding screenincludes at least one port, said method comprising: extending theradiation-shielding screen over a portion of the patient on the table;accessing the controls through the port; and controlling the systemusing the controls.
 2. A method of performing a medical procedurecomprising: providing a radiation-shielding wall having an openingtherein; providing a table having a top for supporting a patient;positioning the wall adjacent the table so a portion of the tableextends through the opening in the wall; joining the table to the wallusing a radiation-shielding flexible interface; covering the opening inthe first wall using a flexible radiation-resistant skirt wherein atleast a portion of the skirt extends below said table top; andseparating medical personnel and a radiation source using the wall toshield the medical personnel from radiation emitted by the radiationsource.
 3. A radiation protection system for shielding medical personnelfrom radiation emitted by a radiation source during a radiologicprocedure performed on a patient supported by a table having a rightside and a left side opposite the right side, said system comprising: aradiation-shielding barrier having an opening and being positionableadjacent the table so a portion of the table extends through saidopening and the barrier separates said medical personnel and theradiation source to shield the medical personnel from radiation emittedby the radiation source; and a radiation-shielding screen connected tothe barrier and securable to the table between said medical personneland the patient for shielding the medical personnel from radiationemitted from the patient, wherein the radiation-shielding screengenerally extends between at least a lower portion and a middle portionof the patient.
 4. A radiation protection system as set forth in claim 3further comprising a radiation-shielding interface connecting theradiation-shielding barrier and the radiation-shielding screen.
 5. Aradiation protection system as set forth in claim 3 wherein the barriercomprises a substantially planar wall.
 6. A method of using theradiation protection system set forth in claim 3 wherein theradiation-shielding screen includes at least one port, the methodcomprising: positioning the radiation-shielding screen over the patientsupported by the table so the screen conforms to a shape of the patient;attaching the radiation-shielding screen to the table; insertingprocedural equipment through the port to access the patient with theprocedural equipment; and performing a medical procedure on the patientusing the procedural equipment.
 7. A method as set forth in claim 6wherein the radiation-shielding screen comprises a vascular access drapehaving at least one port for accessing the patient and a circumferentialpleated portion, said method further comprising connecting thecircumferentially pleated portion of the vascular access drape to thetable to form a radiation-resistant seal.
 8. A method as set forth inclaim 6 wherein said positioning the radiation-shielding screencomprises positioning the radiation-shielding screen so the port islocated over one of the right and left femoral vascular access regionsof the patient, and said inserting procedural equipment through the portto access the patient with the procedural equipment comprises insertinga catheter through the port to access one of the right and left femoralvessels of the patient with the catheter.
 9. A method as set forth inclaim 6 wherein the radiation protection system further comprises atleast one radiation-closing cloak having a re-closable radial slit and acentral orifice, said method further comprising positioning theradiation-closing cloak over the port and around the proceduralequipment passing through the port to create a substantiallyradiation-resistant seal over the port and around the proceduralequipment.
 10. A method as set forth in claim 6 wherein the radiationprotection system further comprises at least one radiation-closing cloaksized for positioning over the port, said method further comprisingpositioning the cloak over any unused ports to createradiation-resistant seal over the port.
 11. A radiation protectionsystem for shielding medical personnel from most radiation emitted by aradiation source during a radiologic procedure in which the medicalpersonnel operate in close proximity to a patient on a table, the systemcomprising: a radiation-shielding wall having an opening and beingpositionable adjacent the table so a portion of the table extendsthrough said opening and the wall separates the medical personnel fromthe radiation source to shield the medical personnel from radiationemitted by the radiation source; and a radiation-shielding flexibleinterface attached to said wall for joining the wall with the table,said flexible interface having a flexible radiation-resistant skirtcovering said opening in said wall.
 12. A radiation protection systemfor use during a radiographic procedure performed on a patient supportedby a table, the system comprising: a radiation-shielding screenattachable to the table, generally extending between at least a lowerportion and a middle portion of the pateint, for blocking radiationtransmitted through the patient from reaching medical personnel usingthe system, the screen including: a corrugated portion comprising aplurality of supports extending in a lateral direction across the screenand radiation-resistant partitions connecting adjacent supports of theplurality of supports; and a pliable vascular access drape attached tothe corrugated portion and including at least one access port foraccessing the patient.
 13. A radiation protection system as set forth inclaim 12 wherein said drape further includes a circumferential pleatedportion surrounding the drape.
 14. A radiation protection system as setforth in claim 12 wherein said screen further comprises a cloak forcovering at least one of the access ports, the cloak having a slitextending from a periphery of the cloak to a generally central orifice.15. A radiation protection system as set forth in claim 12 wherein saiddrape further includes a channel extending from each access port towardthe patient.
 16. A radiation protection system as set forth in claim 15wherein each channel includes a flap for accessing the patient throughthe flap.